Birdwatching expected to attract 5,000 tourists this year
18 Oct 2022 04:46pm
'Birdwatching Paradise Malaysia’ e-brochure launch - BERNAMA
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Its director-general (Planning) Iskandar Mirza Mohd Yusof said the locations included Tasik Kenyir, Setiu, Paya Maga and Mulu in Sarawak.
He said to achieve the target, Tourism Malaysia is now actively promoting various events including distributing a 'Birdwatching Paradise Malaysia’ e-brochure to attract not only domestic but also international tourists.
"In 2019, the country recorded 3,150 local and foreign bird-watchers generating revenue of RM20.3 million to the country.
"This year, we are targeting bigger tourist markets from the United Kingdom, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand,” he said after launching the Special Interest 'Birdwatching Paradise Malaysia' e-brochure at Pengkalan Gawi, Tasik Kenyir near here today.
According to Iskandar Mirza, Tourism Malaysia is hoping more 'birdwatching packages’ will be offered by tourism groups to stimulate and further develop the tourism sector in the related locations.
He said Malaysia has almost 4.5 million hectares of sites categorised as Important bird and biodiversity (IBA) areas by BirdLife International. This must be utilised as best as possible to give economic returns to the people and the country.
"Pahang, Sarawak, Sabah and Perak are among the states that registered highest IBA. Capitalise on this advantage to further promote the tourism agenda in your respective states,” he added. - BERNAMA
